Annette used to tell me "chip, chip", keep chipping away at
the wall.
Slowly, slowly, the message is getting out there:
Use of SMBG results is needed for successful outcomes
http://www.endocrinetoday.com/view.aspx?rid=30180
'AADE 35th Annual Meeting
WA****NGTON — Many health care providers debate whether
self-monitoring of blood glucose should be recommended for
non-insulin-treated patients with diabetes. But, according
to Mary M. Austin, MA, RD, CDE, self-monitoring of blood
glucose is a useful activity if the monitoring results are
used by the patient and the health care provider, to make
therapy or lifestyle changes.
"SMBG has the potential to reap rewards, but only if the
data is used. We've seen an evolution in SMBG and its
usefulness has expanded," she said in a Friday morning
session at the American Association of Diabetes Educators
35th Annual Meeting.
SMBG became a standard of care in 1993. At that time it was
used primarily to help diagnose and treat hypoglycemia in
patients with type 1 diabetes in a timely manner. Today, for
the type 2 non-insulin-requiring patient, SMBG can provide
valuable feedback on the glycemic effects of medications,
food, physical activity and stress. Austin, who is owner and
president of The Austin Group, LLC in Shelby Town****p,
Mich., addressed getting this message to physicians by
providing regular feedback and encouraging them to review
patients' SMBG log books or downloaded SMBG data.
"Part of the responsibility of a diabetes educator is not
just to educate our patients but also educate the team
around us," said Austin, who is also an Endocrine Today
editorial board member. SMBG may not improve glycemic
control if not utilized, by either the patient or the
provider in decision-making.
"It is im****tant to remember that just because a patient is
checking his/her blood glucose on a regular basis, SMBG is
not a therapeutic intervention. SMBG is useful when the
results are used to adjust therapy — this is where the role
of the educator can be so powerful," she said.
Currently there are no specific SMBG standards regarding
educational content. However, Austin recommended educating
patients on calibration and operation of the meter, teaching
them how to obtain adequate blood samples, teaching them how
to properly dispose of sharps and educating them on how to
interpret their results, either through log book or
computer-downloaded data and use the information in glycemic
management efforts. She also stressed the im****tance of
addressing fears and cost-related issues of SMBG to improve
patients' acceptance of monitoring. – by Katie Kalvaitis'
Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
--
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
Blog http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com
DLife column http://tinyurl.com/5v74xr
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com
(Food, Glorious Food in India)
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